Transmission

[Lyndac]

I am a female infected with HSV2. I was infected 5 yrs ago. My boyfriend has HSV1. I have been taking Valtrex for 3 years and have not had any symptoms or actual breakouts in over 3 years. What are the chances of transmission from myself to him and vice versa if we were to have unprotected sex.
      Thanks

[Tramp1974]

I have been taking Valtrex for a year,  I have never had any outbreaks, EVER,.  I take it to prevent transmission only.   I know that Valtrex reduces transmission by half for people.  Does anybody know if there is any research showing if long term Valtrex reduces viral shedding?  

Also, does anybody know of any research about how much people shed in asymptomatic cases.  I read all the stats online, and the  Valtrex stats are mainly for people with symptoms.  Thanks for any help!!!

[daisy315]

It is less likely that anything is going on in that respect since you are on Suppressive Therapy that innitself reduces the risk of transmission ..... although you have to be aware that with Herpes nothing is 100% it is just much less likely,Suppressive Therapy reduces outbreaks significantly in most and therefore viral shedding is also minimised but no one knows for definate how Herpes works we can all only live by Stats and hope they are correct.

Daisy

[Lyndac]

Good morning, Thank you so very much for your comments. I have another question: I used to have breakouts after having my Period. Now that I am taking Valtrex is it possible that I would have asymptomatic shedding at the same time..after having my period. Could this be a way to isolate the days on which I could transmitt the virus???
     Thanks again

[daisy315]

Having HSV1 protects a little against contracting HSV2 but not by much to be honest,the fact that you are on Suppressive Therapy lessens his risk also ..... I do think with unprotected sex it would be likely that he would contract it eventually,however long that might take is a different issue,it may take weeks it may take years no one really knows the answer to that,it's really a matter between the two of you and how much this issue impacts on your relationship.

Daisy

[ABE648]

Here is the rate of Female to Male Tranmision of HSV 2

If you have 100 couples where the female has HSV 2 but not the male (these figures are over a year)  the odds of female to male transmission are if you do nothing other than avoid sex during an outbreak 4 men out of a 100 will get herpes in a year or 4% If you do go on a suppressive therapy then it drops to 2 men out of a 100 in a year or 2% and if you use suppressive and a condom the chances are 1 man out of a 100 will get herpes in one year or 1%.

The valtrex and transmission study stats are based on having sex 2 times/week.

Since you have HSV 2 you have already antibodies built up in your body to give you signifivant protection from getting HSV 1. It is still possible to get HSV 1 orally but not very likely.